Spotlight: Gold by Maureen A. Miller

Publication date: November 16th 2020
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Dig deep enough and you will strike danger.

It was the middle of January in Southeastern Alaska. Sara Eckert anticipated at least another two months of vacancy in her remote bed & breakfast. Until he showed up. A man not interested in hiking, fishing, or hunting. So, why was he there?

Two miners have gone missing. Their disappearance has been ruled accidental. To the firm that sent them to Alaska, that answer is unacceptable. Luke Reis has been dispatched to learn more. Gaining access to the remote wilderness isn’t so simple, though. He’ll have to enlist the owner of the Marmot Hideaway to help get him started.

As Luke and Sara dig deeper into the disappearance of the miners, they edge closer to passion. But the abandoned network of underground mines may stake the ultimate claim…their lives.

This is a standalone romantic suspense included a series with a similar theme.

Excerpt

All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2020 Maureen A. Miller

Cover art by Angela Waters Art, LLC.

It was early. Only hearty fishermen were out and about on the dock right now. The rain tapered to a fine haze, and the fog receded enough to network through the spruce treetops like God had spilled a bottle of cotton balls down the mountain. 

Retreating into the cabin, she grabbed the thermal mug of coffee and took a lukewarm sip. Between the groan of the Tub against the pier, and the gentle slosh of the tide slapping its hull, she was lulled into mental hibernation.

Until she saw him.

He didn’t belong here.

This man stalking down the gangway—eating each plank with determined strides. This man dressed in black jeans and a black leather jacket. Leather? Seriously? This man with diamonds of moisture clinging to short black hair. This man with a simple duffle bag hiked over his shoulder and a chiseled jawline grinding with purpose. 

This man didn’t belong here.

Either he was in far more need of a vacation than he could ever imagine, or he was restless.

Driven.

That was the impression that came to mind.

From a distance it was easy to regard the dark hair and tan complexion as that of a native. Tlingit, maybe. But as he approached, the characteristics leaned another way. Long face, long thin eyes. Dark and intense. Even from this span, the traits tended towards Latin.

Whether or not he belonged—here he was—standing at the pylon the MH Tub was anchored to. No indecision. No bending at the knee to read the name of the boat. No perusal of the vessels around hers.

There was a tenacious focus to this man.

Sara set her mug back into its cradle, noticing that her hand shook slightly. She stepped out of the warm cabin with a broad smile and inflated enthusiasm.

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About the Author

USA TODAY bestselling author, Maureen A. Miller worked in the software industry for fifteen years. She crawled around plant floors in a hard hat and safety glasses hooking up computers to behemoth manufacturing machines. The job required extensive travel. The best form of escapism during those lengthy airport layovers became writing.

Maureen's first novel, WIDOW'S TALE, earned her a Golden Heart nomination in Romantic Suspense. After that she became hooked to the genre. In fact, she was so hooked she is the founder of the JUST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE website.

Recently, Maureen branched out into the Young Adult Science Fiction market with the popular BEYOND Series. To her it was still Romantic Suspense...just on another planet!

Find more about Maureen at www.maureenamiller.com

Connect:

http://www.maureenamiller.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MaureenAMillerAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/maureenamillerauthor/

https://twitter.com/maureenamiller

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2959120.Maureen_A_Miller

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Spotlight: Christmas Protection Detail by Terri Reed

He’ll do anything to protect a baby in jeopardy…

When a call from a friend in trouble leads Nick Delaney and Deputy Kaitlyn Lanz to a car crash that killed a single mother, they become the baby’s protectors. Now figuring out why someone is after the child is the only way to save her. But they must find answers soon…or this baby’s first Christmas might just be Nick’s and Kaitlyn’s last.

Excerpt

Deputy Kaitlyn Lanz climbed the short stepladder to reach the last few branches needing to be decorated on the Christmas tree in the Bristle Township Community Center. The combined celebration of the season and the retirement of Bristle Township’s sheriff, James Ryder, was in full swing all around her. Christmas tunes played from the speakers mounted to the ceiling. The music competed with the many conversations taking place.

It seemed the whole town had turned out for the festivities. Kaitlyn had to admit she was pleased that so many people wanted to wish her boss—uh, former boss—well.

She sent up a quick prayer that nothing would mar the festive event. For some reason, she’d been anxious lately. Nothing specific, just a vague sense of doom that hit her at odd times. She chalked it up to losing the sheriff to fishing and traveling. 

It had been several months since there’d been any real trouble in town or any need for the mounted patrol to mobilize. Not that she was complaining, because she loved being a part of the Bristle County sheriff’s department’s long tradition of patrols on horseback.

Like similar units in many Western states, the mounted patrol was comprised of both armed deputies and unarmed civilian volunteers, also referred to as auxiliary members. They provided search and rescue, as well as community and forest patrols. It was one of the various aspects of her job as keeper of the peace that utilized her many skills. She took pride in her job and always strove to do well at protecting the citizens of her town.

But tonight, she wasn’t going to let anything keep her from enjoying the party.

“A little to the left.”

The deep baritone voice caused her to jerk and fumble with the ornament she was attempting to hang on the large Douglas fir tree standing in the corner of the community center. Balanced on top of the stepladder to reach a high branch, she wobbled. So much for enjoying the party. Nick Delaney, the second in line to inherit the Delaney fortune, had become the bane of her existence over the past year.

He grasped her by the waist with surprising strength, stabilizing her on the short ladder. “Steady there.”

She threw an irritated glance over her shoulder at the man. “I’ve got it.”

“Of course. But maybe hang it a little to the left,” he said, directing her placement of the glittery ornament.

Her heart thumped maddeningly. And not because she’d almost fallen from the ladder. Nick looked good tonight. As always. So maddening. Could he, just once, be unattractive?

He was dressed to impress in crisply creased black slacks and a finely tailored gray sport coat over a dark green mock turtleneck sweater. His dark hair was swept off his forehead to accentuate his chiseled cheekbones. His dark eyes sparkled, and his grin was much too confident.

From the moment she’d met the younger son of the local eccentric billionaire, Nick’s arrogance had rubbed her nerves raw.

Abruptly, she turned back to the tree, placed the ornament where she had intended and stepped down from the ladder, forcing him to release his hold and move back to give her room. “I like it where it is.”

He shrugged. “You know best, Deputy.”

She gritted her back teeth. He made the moniker sound pretentious. Turning her attention to the tree, she realized with a sinking sensation he’d been right. The turtledove glass bauble she’d brought from home needed to be a bit more to the left for symmetry.

Ah, well. She wasn’t perfect and neither were her ornament hanging abilities. But she certainly wouldn’t give Nick the satisfaction of knowing she regretted not listening to his advice. Had it been anyone else, she no doubt would have adjusted the ornament accordingly. What was it about Nick that put her on edge all the time?

She had a suspicion her irritation stemmed from the fact that he reminded her of her college boyfriend, Jason. A relationship that hadn’t ended well.

“Here.” Nick thrust a red box with a white bow at her.

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About the Author

Award winning, multipublished author Terri Reed discovered the wonderful world of fiction at an early age and declared she would one day write a book. Now she's fulfilling that dream by writing for Love Inspired. She is a member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. You can visit her online at www.terrireed.com or email her at terrireed@sterling.net or leave comments on http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/ or www.loveinspiredauthors.com

Spotlight: Mary & Bright by Katharine E. Hamilton

Genre: Sweet and Clean Holiday Romance

Mary Rutherford dreads Christmas time. Having grown up in one of the most influential families in town, her Christmas holidays are spent attending her father’s company Christmas party and silently blending into the background. This year, however, her parents insist she plan the party, and with little help from her mother, Mary reaches out to an old friend for help: Brighten Smith.

Brighten Smith recently moved back to his hometown to escape California and the disappointment of a failed relationship. Helping his grandmother at her local bakery provides him the opportunity to catch up with old acquaintances and friends. When he finds Mary Rutherford needs a caterer for her family’s grand Christmas party, he volunteers for the job, though he has zero experience. As he learns more about Mary, he finds he wants to do more than cater her party; he wants to give her the best Christmas ever.

Can he and Mary pull off a successful Christmas partnership?

And can Brighten give Mary an unforgettable Christmas? 

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About the Author

Katharine E. Hamilton graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and uses her knack for research in all her stories. She is a Southern Belle with a pinch of sass, and when she is not writing she can be found chasing around her toddler son, driving around the ranch, or baking delicacies for local parties and events. Katharine currently resides on a ranch in South Texas where the skies and rivers, in all their beauty, rejuvenate the soul.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Spotlight: The Traveler: Chimera Revolution by Shannon Nemechek

Picking up from Chimera Rebellion’s cliffhanger ending, Chimera Revolution takes Katie and Colm on a trip through time to 1779 Savannah in the midst of the American Revolution, where they are plunged into a world of spies, magic, and to face an old foe. As they attempt to protect the book, Katie seeks out someone to tutor her in magic as the noose tightens around them an ancient friend appears to guide them but is this new friend truly friend or foe?

Secrets reveal themselves as Colm must decide which side he is on. He must confront his great-great-grandfather and convince him that life without Eleanor is possible, and to fight on the right side of history all without revealing the future and keeping him alive in the process.

Danger is around every corner~unsure of who to trust the pair must rely on their knowledge and wits; as they attempt to keep the book from those who seek to destroy it and to destroy them.  The journey they embark on is a very different—and a vastly more dangerous one.

Can they protect the book and save themselves or will the prophecy be fulfilled?

Excerpt

"Nineve.... Nineve.... Sister. I am here." Morgana approached the edge of the lake, pulling her cloak closed. The wind bristled through the trees and an eerie silence fell over the woodland gardens. The lake stood still as Morgana called for her sister again. A moment passed as the lake began to swirl and bubble, slowly Nineve emerged from the lake and onto its sandy shore.

"I am here sister." She answered moving swiftly towards Morgana who stood stone-like as her more powerful sister approached. 

"Why have you summoned me, sister?"

Nineve smirked as she turned away "Sister, can I not just want to see my little sister?"

Morgana shifted her weight to turn and find a fallen oak just behind her. She sat down. "Yes, sister but you never just want to see me. So tell me why you have summoned me."

Nineve turned back- her gown billowed around her, she sat next to Morgana. "I had a vision, little sister." She replied as a thick mist formed over the lake and moved towards them. 

"A vision sister?" A knot began to form in Morgana's throat. 

"Yes, my sister a vision. Those bairns you carry in that swollen belly of yours. I have seen disaster. Danger will come with their birth."

"For me sister."

"No! With they. One shall take the others life. They are both powerful, more powerful than you or I and they are of Merlin, but one will be more powerful and will strike all of us down." A slight grin began to creep in as Nineve turned away, a wimpier escaped her lips. Morgana sensing her sisters angst moved closer and touched her sister's shoulders. 

"Do not fret my sister.   I am quite sure we can figure something out. Merlin will know what to do."

"Oh my dear sister we cannot tell Merlin, it is too dangerous. Merlin could see them as his enemy and stoke them down."

"Nineve, Merlin would never..."

"Really? Are you quite sure of that?" Nineve attempted to sow a seed of doubt for Merlin in her sister's head.

"Yes! Merlin loves me and loves out bairn. I know you have doubts in Merlin but I do not."

Nineve nodded "You are right my sister. I did, however, have an idea."

"Tell me, sister."

Smiling Nineve took Morgana by the hand and led her down a path to a stone wall. A wave of her hand and the stone began to shutter and shift - a cave opening appeared before them. "Come sister." Nineve motioned as Morgana entered the cave. Torches on either side began to light as she passed. The air was thick, damp and cool, a fire burned in the far end of the cave. Furs lay all arranged upon the stone floor, bottles and herbs lay on a rock near the fire. The damp coolness of the air forces Morgana to pull her cloak closed. Shivering she sits down on a fur nearest the fire. 

"Tell me sister. What is this idea you have?"

Nineve sits her attention now focused on Morgana's swollen belly. "May I?"

"Yes, sister."

Nineve places her hand on Morgana's belly and closes her eyes. The room begins to glow and the bottles nearest the fire begin to explode sending shards of glass towards them. Morgana raises her hand freezing the glass in place sending them to the ground. 

"Sister, what are you doing?" Her voice cracked but Nineve was unmoved. 

Morgana pled "Sister, Please!" As she attempted to swipe her hand away, Nineve's eyes shot open.

"It is done." 

"What did you do sister?"

"I did what needed to be done."

Morgana screamed "What did you do Nineve? Tell me."

Nineve cackled finally answering her "I transferred the power from the female child to the male. Now you must go! You will give birth this night. Now go!"

Morgana wanted to strike back at Nineve but she is stopped- doubled over in pain- her contractions had begun, she flees from the cave, the stone behind her begins to cover the opening-closing it off. Morgana moves as quickly as she can through the dense forest to the dwelling she and Merlin share. Unable to push the door opened Morgana bangs on the wooden door. Merlin opens it and Morgana falls into his arms.

"The bairn's, they are coming." 

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About the Author

Shannon is a USA Today Bestselling Author; she started her writing career while still serving in the US Army. 

Shannon grew up in Macomb, IL, where she graduated from High School in 1987 and soon joined the US Army. Shannon served from 1987 to 2015 during Operation Desert Storm and Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.  

In April 2015, Shannon retired from the US Army with 23 years of service as a Unit Supply Sergeant.  She is a mother of 4 children and a grandma to 2 beautiful Granddaughters. 

She has been married 27 years to her husband, Ken. They reside in Staunton, IL, a small town along Old Route 66. 

She is best known for her Military Romance series—A Warranted Series, and her Time-Travel series—The Traveler series.

Spotlight: In Winter's Past by Taylor Danae Colbert

Release Date: November 20

From the time I can remember, it was always the three of us. Me, Tommy, and Shane.

We were young, doing things we shouldn't have been doing.

They say the water here in Meade Lake freezes four feet deep. But that winter had been unseasonably warm...

After we lost Tommy, Shane packed up and moved on, leaving me to figure it all out by myself. To figure out who I was without my two best friends.

But now, Shane is back in Meade Lake. He’s changed, but under that cold, hardened exterior, I can still see a hint of my best friend.

The boy I once loved.

We’re reliving our glory years, laughing at the memories, sorting through the pain. And each time, he stands a little bit closer, lingers a little bit longer.

But with every touch, I feel that ice-cold barrier form around my heart.

He showed me once that he could walk away and never look back. I can’t give him that chance again.

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Meet Taylor Danae Colbert

Taylor has been writing since the tender age of seven, when her mother bought her her first typewriter. Once she finished her first work, a tall tale about a girl with hair that grew too fast, her father told her she should be published. And so, her lifelong dream of becoming a published writer was born. 

Taylor never thought of herself as a romance writer, but it turns out, she loves love. 

When she's not chasing her kids, watching Impractical Jokers with her husband, running, or playing around with her two pups, she's probably under her favorite blanket, either writing a book, or reading one. 

Taylor lives in Maryland, where she was born and raised. 

Connect with Taylor Danae Colbert:

Website: https://www.taylordanaecolbert.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taydanaewrites

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taydanaewrites/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TayDanaeWrites

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/taylor-danae-colbert

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3eYGLkZ

Spotlight: Under the Kissing Ball by Susan Carlisle

Contemporary Romance

Published: October 2020

A Christmas kiss between friends is simple, until it isn’t…

Clarissa Chalmers Simmons’ world is in turmoil. After fleeing an abusive marriage and her divorce, all she wants is to heal and create a calm, safe environment for her children. She’s returned to her ancestral home and the comfort of family, which includes a trusted childhood friend, Roger. She finds him handsome and sweet, but too set in his ways for her taste. With Roger’s encouragement and help, Clarissa takes on a new position in the family business and gains personal satisfaction she’s never known. What she doesn’t plan on is her and Roger’s ‘under the mistletoe ball’ kiss rocking her world.

Roger Clarke, is the easy-going estate manager at Hartley Castle and a confirmed bachelor. He has always been there in Clarissa’s background but recently has become her rock-steady confidant. Despite his long-held secret feelings for the flighty, beautiful and willful Clarissa, he has never acted on them. He’s not a suitable match for her. After all he is an employee of his best friend and her brother, Lord Hartley. Even if given the chance, Roger has no desire to become the rebound guy.

Despite that, if he doesn’t act on Clarissa’s passionate reaction to his kiss, he might lose his chance of having the only woman who’s ever stirred his heart.

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About the Author

Susan Carlisle’s love affair with books began when she made a bad grade in math in the sixth grade. Not allowed to watch TV until she brought the grade up, Susan filled her time with books. She turned her love of reading into a love of writing. Susan has released through HarperCollins’s Harlequin medical imprint over twenty-five contemporary romances. Her Modern Masters of Their Castles trilogy is under her own imprint. Her heroes are strong, vibrant man and the women that challenge them.

Connect:

Website: http://www.SusanCarlisle.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SusanCarlisle1

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SusanCarlisle

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/SusanCarlisle